Minnesota Twins Boot Chance to Win Series vs. Indians
The Minnesota Twins look toward the off-season as they six more errors in series loss.
The Minnesota Twins hosted the odds-on favorite to win the AL Central this season, the Cleveland Indians, for three games this past weekend.
While they’ve been a thorn in the side of the Indians all year, this time the Twins looked like a team that will finish 30+ games behind their opponent – dropping two of three, and committing six more errors in the process.
Saturday’s contest was a thrilling, extra-innings, walk-off affair, as Joe Mauer lined a hit to the gap to score the winning run in the 12th inning, even though first base was open after a balk.
J.T. Chargois picked up his first major league win in a game that featured the major league debut of 10-year minor league veteran, James Beresford.
Sandwiched around Saturday’s thriller, the Twins threw away a chance to win Friday’s opener as Tyler Duffey cost himself with a critical throwing error in a four-run fourth inning.
After Byron Buxton homered for the fifth time since his recall to tie the game, Duffey immediately surrendered a 451-foot blast to Mike Napoli in the following inning. That run was the final score, and proved to be the winning margin of victory for Cleveland..
More from Puckett's Pond
- Minnesota Twins: After signing with the Mets, Correa spurns Twins again
- Minnesota Twins: You Spin Me Right Round, Right Round
- Minnesota Twins: What happens next at Shortstop?
- Minnesota Twins: Grading the Twins’ Joey Gallo signing
- Minnesota Twins: 4 Possible Trade Chips not named Kepler or Arraez
Sunday’s finale was another chance for rookie Jose Berrios to make an impression on the Twins front office. Up against last year’s Cy Young winner, Corey Kluber, Berrios once again had control problems, walking four, in just a 2.2 inning start.
Berrios surrendered five runs, three earned, and labored to record eight outs – throwing 65 pitches to do so. Meanwhile, he and his teammates booted, dropped, misfired their way to four errors on Sunday – an ugly display that brought out the boo-birds in a 7-1 loss.
While the home crowd booing a team on its way to 100 losses doesn’t seem like news, Twins fans have been fairly resolute since their team dropped out of contention early on. But displays like Sunday’s are too much even for the most die-hard fans.
Buxton. OFFENSE . C-. 18 hits, 11 walks, 29 strikeouts, 3 home runs and 2 for 19 with runners in scoring position in the three games. Joe Mauer hit just his second-ever walk-off winner as Indians’ manager <a href=.
. Hector Santiago. STARTERS . C. Team totals: 15 hits allowed, 9 walks, 3 home runs and 9 strikeouts in just 14.2 innings of work. Santiago nearly had another quality start wasted by poor run support. The trade for Santiago looks better with each start.
A-. Team totals: 14 hits allowed, 7 walks, 0 home runs and 10 strikeouts. During the first two games, Twins’ relievers threw nine tense innings of shutout ball, helping Minnesota gain a split. <a href=. . Chargois. RELIEVERS
F. In his debut, Beresford made some nice plays at third base. In Sunday’s game at first base – not so much. Buxton just missed a highlight grab that would have have end of the year shows, and the Twins checked off nearly every kind of error possible during the Cleveland series.. . Beresford. DEFENSE
Next: MiLB Weekly: Two Additions to Future Bullpen
MVT: Hector Santiago – Couple more starts for him to solidify his spot in 2017 rotation.
The Twins will travel to Detroit for a four-game series starting tonight. Ervin Santana (7-10) will toe the mound opposite Daniel Norris (2-2). First pitch at Comerica Park will be at 6:10 CDT. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports North.